In football, the primary purpose is making forward progress. Occasionally, however, it can be good to take a look at how far you've come.

Barnstable High School football fans will have the opportunity to do just that starting Sunday when the Barnstable Historical Society holds Septemberfest, its annual fundraiser, and opens "A Century Plus -- Over a Hundred Years of Football History in the Town."

The exhibit presents the program at Barnstable High School from its inception more than 100 years ago to the present. Included is a wealth of memorabilia, and memories, including well-worn metal cleats, a pennant from 1902, and letterman's jackets from several years. There is even a piece of the old wooden goal post from Barnstable's big win over Falmouth in the 1951 Thanksgiving Day game inscribed with the 40-0 score.

The exhibit was the brainchild of the historical society, Rob Stewart and Jack Aylmer. The group approached local football historian Sean Walsh, who through the years has amassed a sizeable football collection.

Walsh, along with others from BHS football history, is sharing his collect ibles with the society. The cleats, jackets, helmets, and much more can be seen at the Daniel Davis House on Route 6A in Barnstable Village, next to Sturgis Library.

On Sunday, the exhibit opens officially when the gala Septemberfest gets under way. Attendees can view the exhibit, participate in a silent auction, and enjoy wine and fine foods on the terrace out back. BHS gridiron greats from eras past will be in attendance, including Aylmer,Jim Ellis, and Walsh, among others.

Stewart feels the exhibit will draw a crowd because it stands out from the standard nautically themed exhibits at the museum. "This is unique," he said. "It's a football world today.

"Over the years, people get so involved with pro sports in their area. Now that [the Patriots] are champs, it makes it different.

Kids look up to those players. Hopefully, a lot of them will bring their parents to see this exhibit."

Walsh began collecting the sports memorabilia when someone gave him a red-painted football from 1934 for the Hall of Fame. "I knew that if that was out there, there had to be more out there," he said, noting that at one time there were eight such footballs.

Now his is the last that is left.

Walsh appreciates the exhibit for what it represents to the town of Barnstable. "Football was the second sport at BHS. Baseball was the first, but football to me is the quintessential team sport," he said. "It's about overcoming great odds. Even when the school was very small, [football] brought everyone together. Because there were very few people, they were all involved in some way."

For Walsh, the exhibit is simply the precursor to what he hopes will be one of the biggest BHS football seasons in decades. While the exhibit should provide fans with background information about the program, Walsh is busy trying to rejuvenate the tradition of a pre-game parade and Pep Rally the day before the big Thanksgiving Day game against Falmouth.

"The exhibit is only the beginning," he said. "It's just a starting point. It's important that the kids of today don't forget who they're playing for and who played before them."

Septemberfest at the Daniel Davis House will be held Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Wine and fine foods will be served, and a silent auction held. For tickets ($35), call 508-362-2982. The exhibit of Barnstable's football history will continue at the museum on Route 6A next to Sturgis Library.